Republican Lawmakers Ousted in Primary Backlash Over Abortion Stances

At least four Republican state lawmakers who attempted to modify or soften strict abortion bans lost their primary elections following opposition from anti-abortion groups and key party allies. Two other Republican state lawmakers, North Dakota State Representative Eric Murphy and Tennessee State Senator Richard Briggs, are currently facing contested primary elections after trying to introduce legislation that would have expanded exceptions to their states’ near-total abortion bans. The losses in states such as South Carolina and Louisiana highlight the influence of organised interest groups in low-turnout primary elections, where candidates advocating for exceptions to near-total bans have been defeated by opponents with stricter pro-life records.

Mary DuBuisson, a former state representative in Louisiana, became the only Republican to vote against the state’s near-total ban in 2022 after colleagues refused to include exceptions for rape and incest. She subsequently sponsored a bill allowing termination of non-viable pregnancies, a move that drew sharp criticism from party allies. In the October 2023 primary runoff, DuBuisson lost to Brian Glorioso by 384 votes. Governor-elect Jeff Landry endorsed Glorioso in the runoff, citing his unwavering defence of life, while anti-abortion groups mobilised heavily against DuBuisson’s record.

In South Carolina, three state senators known as the “Sister Senators” — Sandy Senn, Penry Gustafson, and Katrina Shealy — lost their primaries after opposing a bill that would have banned abortion from conception with limited exceptions. They were replaced by opponents who have since supported legislation imposing criminal penalties on women seeking abortions. Students for Life Action reported generating thousands of communications to unseat the trio, and their successors have advanced bills carrying misdemeanor criminal penalties for women seeking abortions, with jail time of up to two years.

North Dakota State Representative Eric Murphy, a biomedical sciences teacher, attempted to expand abortion access up to 15 weeks, but his bill failed 87-6. He now faces a primary challenge from Jill Chandler, who has the endorsement of the county GOP and anti-abortion groups, and Mike Holmes, who has the endorsement of Governor Kelly Armstrong. Murphy’s colleague, Senator Jeff Barta, cited Murphy’s abortion stance as a reason for the fractured primary field, noting that Murphy’s efforts created a divide within the party.

Tennessee State Senator Richard Briggs, a cardiothoracic surgeon, voted for the state’s trigger law but later introduced bills to clarify medical exceptions for fatal fetal anomalies and protect doctors. His bill failed, and he faces a primary challenge from Kent Morrell. Tennessee Right to Life revoked its endorsement of Briggs, with Morrell citing Briggs’ efforts to weaken pro-life laws. Briggs expressed confidence in his election chances, arguing that voters agree with his decisions and noting that his Republican colleague, Sen. Becky Duncan Massey, survived a primary challenge over her support for abortion-ban exceptions.